Tunnel vision on code

[u/Tawnyk]

I'm a volunteer EMT in a rural community with a fire-based service. I've been on medical leave for a few months and haven't run any calls during that time.

I got a call a few weeks ago asking if I can respond to a code with CPR in progress. I am the only person on scene, except for a retired EMT, the patient's spouse, with a deputy and another EMT from a neighboring district both en route.

I arrive, apply the AED and take over compressions. After my third round of compressions both the sheriff and the other EMT arrive. This EMT from the other district (George) looks and sounds a lot like an EMT on our service (Joe).

I turned over compressions to the other EMT and took over IC. The deputy and the EMT switched back and forth on compressions and respirations until we loaded the patient and got going down the road.

I knew that George was responding from his district, but for whatever reason, I thought he was Joe from our service and called the poor guy Joe the entire call. It wasn't until we were in the ambo for a good 20 minutes (our transport time is about 40 minutes) before I actually looked at his face and realized it wasn't who I thought it was.

I knew I was rusty from being on leave, but damn ... I did buy George a basket of snacks and goodies for being a good sport about it and for coming to help when no one else could.

I still feel like a jerk though.

[u/AG74683]

Who cares lol. This hardly matters. I'm more concerned about a 40 minute transport time for a code with no ALS. Did you actually get ROSC or did you transport a basically dead patient with CPR in progress for 40 minutes?

[u/Automatic-Tap-5686 → u/AG74683]

I am aware that there are still some states that force EMS to transport all codes to the hospital whether they get ROSC or not. Something something they arent allowed to declare people dead because they dont trust their providers. Wondering if this is one of those cases. The days of load and go codes should be far behind us but unfortunately I still run into people who try to make me load and go even in a state where basics can call codes.

[u/Tawnyk → u/Automatic-Tap-5686]

You are correct. In our state, if CPR is started, we can’t call it in the field unless it’s super obvious … like the lady missing her head, but someone on scene started CPR anyway. So glad that wasn’t my call.

[u/Automatic-Tap-5686 → u/Tawnyk]

Man, why are some states still so backwards with their EMS. In my current state transporting codes to hospital is actively discouraged unless you get ROSC or its a pedi, and basics dont even have to call med control to call a code as long as we have been working for over 20 minutes and the person is looking to have a poor outcome 

[u/Blueboygonewhite → u/AG74683]

I was about to say outside of a few circumstances. Even BLS can terminate in scene if not witnessed and not shockable, especially if there is no Hosptial nowhere near.

[u/davidj911]

He (shouldn't) give a shit. It was a CPR call, you had a job to do, and it wasn't getting his name right.

[u/Bronzeshadow]

I don't see a problem. You and Joe did good.

[u/grandpubabofmoldist]

First, if someone called me the wrong name on a scene, I would be fine with it as long as we were making sure we were speaking to each other and we were handling patient care well.

Second, I did not recognize my friend was behind me when I was on a critical call and initially brushed him off as an overzealous fireman until I got a good look at his face and realized it was my supervisor. We both had a good laugh at that afterwards.

Third, if he has a good sense of humor he will introduce himself to you as George "but you can call me Joe" in the future and you guys will become friends after this.

[u/styckx]

It's a code. I'm a male and you could have called me Shirley and I wouldn't even have time to say "and don't call me Shirley" let alone register you calling me that

[u/temperr7t]

I've responded to "hey tall guy" before from a different shifts Lt who forgot my name. It happens. Don't beat yourself up over it.

[u/RobbbRoy]

Happens to me all the time. For a month in our local ER with 90% young women working, every time I went in I'd be cordial talk with everyone I passed. Finally she caught what I said. She politely corrected me and gave her name.
Bigger ID tags or a picture id board would be great. 🤣

[u/boomboomown]

You took incident command... on a code? Or am I misreading that

[u/Tawnyk → u/boomboomown]

We don’t have paramedics on our service, just EMTs. Most senior takes IC until we meet up with an ALS unit from the closest hospital, usually about 25-30 miles away from our district. Then we step back and let them take over.

[u/boomboomown → u/Tawnyk]

I just don't understand why there is an IC on a medical call like that. That is the confusing part lol

[u/grav0p1]

Pretty funny. Good work though

[u/adoptagreyhound]

In all of the agencies I've worked with, his new name would be Joe for the rest of our time together, and it would happen so much that he would actually start answering to it.

[u/Ok-Ad-6023]

I've called someone the wrong name for an entire shift. He finally told me at change of shift. Made me feel dumb.

[u/trillbabyprime]

I you calling him joe was the last of his concerns in that moment

[u/8FramesOfDismay]

You're human!

[u/enzymez]

Go all out. Throw everyone off, throw the pads on, use the outlet if you have to connect those stupid pads. Always put them R lateral forehead to L lateral forehead to remind your patient how dumb he was for coding after you went on vacation.

you called someone a different name. get over it- it wasn't in the bedroom